Click ahead to see the early days of the San Antonio Botanical Garden, which opened in 1980.

Click ahead to see the early days of the San Antonio Botanical Garden, which opened in 1980.

Photo: File

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1976 — A model of the San Antonio Botanical Garden, which is headed by the City of San Antonio’s Parks and Recreation Department. Funding for the Garden began in 1970 after voters approved $265,000 in bonds. Before 1970, the small garden was called the San Antonio Garden Center. less

1976 — A model of the San Antonio Botanical Garden, which is headed by the City of San Antonio’s Parks and Recreation Department. Funding for the Garden began in 1970 after voters approved $265,000 in ... more

Photo: File Photo

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1976 — A model of the San Antonio Botanical Garden, which went under construction in 1976. The official opening took place in 1980.

1976 — A model of the San Antonio Botanical Garden, which went under construction in 1976. The official opening took place in 1980.

Photo: File Photo

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1977 — A pagoda under construction at the San Antonio Botanical Garden.

1977 — A pagoda under construction at the San Antonio Botanical Garden.

Photo: File Photo

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1978 — A log cabin at the site of the San Antonio Botanical Garden. This cabin was built in the 1850s in Fayette County, but was later moved to San Antonio

1978 — A log cabin at the site of the San Antonio Botanical Garden. This cabin was built in the 1850s in Fayette County, but was later moved to San Antonio

Photo: File Photo

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1982 — A log cabin at the site of the San Antonio Botanical Garden. This cabin was built in the 1850s in Fayette County, but was later moved to San Antonio

1982 — A log cabin at the site of the San Antonio Botanical Garden. This cabin was built in the 1850s in Fayette County, but was later moved to San Antonio

Photo: File Photo

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1982 — A plot of flowers at the San Antonio Botanical Garden.

1982 — A plot of flowers at the San Antonio Botanical Garden.

Photo: File Photo

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1982 — Flowers at the San Antonio Botanical Garden.

1982 — Flowers at the San Antonio Botanical Garden.

Photo: File Photo

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1982 — Flowers at the San Antonio Botanical Garden.

1982 — Flowers at the San Antonio Botanical Garden.

Photo: File Photo

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1983 — Volunteers work at the Children’s Center at the San Antonio Botanical Garden.

1983 — Volunteers work at the Children’s Center at the San Antonio Botanical Garden.

Photo: File Photo

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1984 — Volunteers plant trees at the San Antonio Botanical Garden.

1984 — Volunteers plant trees at the San Antonio Botanical Garden.

Photo: File Photo

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1985 — A worker tends to plants at the San Antonio Botanical Garden.

1985 — A worker tends to plants at the San Antonio Botanical Garden.

Photo: File Photo

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1985 — Architect Emilio Ambrasz looks at a model of the Lucile Halsell Conservatory, which he designed. Construction on the Conservatory finished in 1988.

1985 — Architect Emilio Ambrasz looks at a model of the Lucile Halsell Conservatory, which he designed. Construction on the Conservatory finished in 1988.

Photo: File Photo

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1986 — Crews work on the metal that holds greenhouse-effect windows for the Lucile Halsell Conservatory at the San Antonio Botanical Garden.

1986 — Crews work on the metal that holds greenhouse-effect windows for the Lucile Halsell Conservatory at the San Antonio Botanical Garden.

Photo: File Photo

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1987 — A horticulturist tends to Tex Tuff Verbena at the San Antonio Botanical Garden.

1987 — A horticulturist tends to Tex Tuff Verbena at the San Antonio Botanical Garden.

Photo: File Photo

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1987 — A family fishes at a pond at the San Antonio Botanical Garden.

1987 — A family fishes at a pond at the San Antonio Botanical Garden.

Photo: File Photo

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1988 — This rendering shows the Lucile Halsell Conservatory at the San Antonio Botanical Garden in its planning stages. The conservatory, designed by world-renowned architect Emilio Ambasz, opened February 1988, and featured exhibit rooms that feature plants from around the world, as well as a garden pond and courtyard. The conservatory still stands at the Garden, which is just north of downtown. less

1988 — This rendering shows the Lucile Halsell Conservatory at the San Antonio Botanical Garden in its planning stages. The conservatory, designed by world-renowned architect Emilio Ambasz, opened February ... more

Photo: File Photo

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1988 — Workers place the last panes of the Lucile Halsell Conservatory at the San Antonio Botanical Garden in preparation for its opening on Feb. 28, 1988.

1988 — Workers place the last panes of the Lucile Halsell Conservatory at the San Antonio Botanical Garden in preparation for its opening on Feb. 28, 1988.

Photo: File Photo

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1988 — Workers place the last panes of the Lucile Halsell Conservatory at the San Antonio Botanical Garden in preparation for its opening on Feb. 28, 1988.

1988 — Workers place the last panes of the Lucile Halsell Conservatory at the San Antonio Botanical Garden in preparation for its opening on Feb. 28, 1988.

Photo: File Photo

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1988 — Workers place the last panes of the Lucile Halsell Conservatory at the San Antonio Botanical Garden in preparation for its opening on Feb. 28, 1988.

1988 — Workers place the last panes of the Lucile Halsell Conservatory at the San Antonio Botanical Garden in preparation for its opening on Feb. 28, 1988.

Photo: File Photo

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1988 — The Lucile Halsell Conservatory at the San Antonio Botanical Garden.

1988 — The Lucile Halsell Conservatory at the San Antonio Botanical Garden.

Photo: File Photo

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1988 — Children check their reflections in the pond of the open-air area of the Lucile Halsell Conservatory at the San Antonio Botanical Garden during free tours given the day of its opening in Feb. 28, 1988. Over 3,000 people attended its opening day celebration. less

1988 — Children check their reflections in the pond of the open-air area of the Lucile Halsell Conservatory at the San Antonio Botanical Garden during free tours given the day of its opening in Feb. 28, 1988. ... more

Photo: File Photo

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1988 — A waterfall at the Lucile Halsell Conservatory at the San Antonio Botanical Garden.

1988 — A waterfall at the Lucile Halsell Conservatory at the San Antonio Botanical Garden.

Photo: File Photo

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1988 — A Chrysanthemum display in the Lucile Halsell Conservatory at the San Antonio Botanical Garden.

1988 — A Chrysanthemum display in the Lucile Halsell Conservatory at the San Antonio Botanical Garden.

Photo: File Photo

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1988 — A Chrysanthemum display in the Lucile Halsell Conservatory at the San Antonio Botanical Garden.

1988 — A Chrysanthemum display in the Lucile Halsell Conservatory at the San Antonio Botanical Garden.

Photo: File Photo

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1988 — A landscaper works at the San Antonio Botanical Garden.

1988 — A landscaper works at the San Antonio Botanical Garden.

Photo: File Photo

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1988 — A look up from inside the Lucile Halsell Conservatory at the San Antonio Botanical Garden.

1988 — A look up from inside the Lucile Halsell Conservatory at the San Antonio Botanical Garden.

Photo: File Photo

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1988 — A Model of the Japanese garden, Kumamoto En, which was donated by San Antonio’s sister city, Kumamoto, Japan.

1988 — A Model of the Japanese garden, Kumamoto En, which was donated by San Antonio’s sister city, Kumamoto, Japan.

Photo: File Photo

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1989 — A worker applies concrete to the walls of the reflection pool in the Kumamoto En garden.

1989 — A worker applies concrete to the walls of the reflection pool in the Kumamoto En garden.

Photo: File Photo

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1989 — Guests visit the Lucile Halsell Conservatory at the San Antonio Botanical Garden a few months before the opening of the Kumamoto En. The Kumamoto En opened in May 1989, and it was donated by San Antonio’s sister city, Kumamoto, Japan. The garden still stands at the San Antonio Botanical Garden. less

1989 — Guests visit the Lucile Halsell Conservatory at the San Antonio Botanical Garden a few months before the opening of the Kumamoto En. The Kumamoto En opened in May 1989, and it was donated by San ... more

Photo: File Photo

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1989 — A worker at the San Antonio Botanical Garden waters the lawn at the Kumamoto En garden. The worker was preparing for the garden's grand opening, which occurred in May of that year.

1989 — A worker at the San Antonio Botanical Garden waters the lawn at the Kumamoto En garden. The worker was preparing for the garden's grand opening, which occurred in May of that year.

Photo: File Photo

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1989 — A worker at the San Antonio Botanical Garden prepares for the Kumamoto En garden's opening.

1989 — A worker at the San Antonio Botanical Garden prepares for the Kumamoto En garden's opening.

Photo: File Photo

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1989 — Workers at the San Antonio Botanical Garden place a Japanese plaque at the the Kumamoto En garden. The workers were preparing for the garden's grand opening on May 15, 1989.

1989 — Workers at the San Antonio Botanical Garden place a Japanese plaque at the the Kumamoto En garden. The workers were preparing for the garden's grand opening on May 15, 1989.

Photo: File Photo

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1989 — Former San Antonio mayor Henry Cisneros and Japanese officials attend the dedication of the Japanese garden, Kumamoto En, on May 15, 1989, at the San Antonio Botanical Garden. The celebration between sister cities San Antonio and Kumamoto lasted a week. less

1989 — Former San Antonio mayor Henry Cisneros and Japanese officials attend the dedication of the Japanese garden, Kumamoto En, on May 15, 1989, at the San Antonio Botanical Garden. The celebration between ... more

Photo: File Photo

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1989 — Former San Antonio mayor Henry Cisneros and Japanese officials attend the dedication of the Japanese garden, Kumamoto En, on May 15, 1989, at the San Antonio Botanical Garden. The celebration between sister cities San Antonio and Kumamoto lasted a week. less

1989 — Former San Antonio mayor Henry Cisneros and Japanese officials attend the dedication of the Japanese garden, Kumamoto En, on May 15, 1989, at the San Antonio Botanical Garden. The celebration between ... more

Photo: File Photo

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1989 — Former San Antonio mayor Henry Cisneros and a Japanese official shake hands at the opening ceremony for the Japanese garden, Kumamoto En, on May 15, 1989, at the San Antonio Botanical Garden.

1989 — Former San Antonio mayor Henry Cisneros and a Japanese official shake hands at the opening ceremony for the Japanese garden, Kumamoto En, on May 15, 1989, at the San Antonio Botanical Garden.

Photo: File Photo

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1989 — Children plant trees at the San Antonio Botanical Garden.

1989 — Children plant trees at the San Antonio Botanical Garden.

Photo: File Photo

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1989 — A male guest smells a leaf that has a root beer scent, while a female guest reads a brail sign at the San Antonio Botanical Garden. The two guests were members of the S.A. Association for the Blind.

1989 — A male guest smells a leaf that has a root beer scent, while a female guest reads a brail sign at the San Antonio Botanical Garden. The two guests were members of the S.A. Association for the Blind.

Photo: File Photo

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1992 — Women plant water lilies at the Lucile Halsell Conservatory at the San Antonio Botanical Garden in preparation for an August 1992 visit from the World Lillies Society.

1992 — Women plant water lilies at the Lucile Halsell Conservatory at the San Antonio Botanical Garden in preparation for an August 1992 visit from the World Lillies Society.

Photo: File Photo

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1998 — The Lucile Halsell Conservatory at the San Antonio Botanical Garden.

1998 — The Lucile Halsell Conservatory at the San Antonio Botanical Garden.

Photo: File Photo

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San Antonio Botanical Gardens will receive $1 million grant for expansion

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A $1 million grant to the San Antonio Botanical Gardens will help fund a 2.5-acre expansion for the new Family Adventure Garden, which will include a new garden, restrooms and signage.

The grant was just one that the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission approved Thursday for projects across the state. The Urban Outdoor Recreation Grant was awarded to this city’s Parks and Recreation Department for the expansion at the Botanical Gardens, as well as to parks in Austin, Fort Worth and Houston, based on need.

Construction at the 41-acre greenery arboretum will begin this summer and will take 12-18 months to complete, said Leslie Ausburn, president for Komet Marketing Communications, which represents the Botanical Gardens.

Ausburn added that the grant was matched with a donation from the San Antonio Botanical Garden Society.

“The Botanical Garden’s Family Adventure Garden will encourage visitors of all ages and abilities to interact with nature and incorporate nature play and activity into their daily lives, resulting in families who are healthier, happier, and more engaged in environmental stewardship,” a press release from the City of San Antonio states.

Boy carted off in ambulance after S.A. shooting as relatives scream in anguishSan Antonio Express-News

A separate press release from the Texas Parks and Wildlife states funds for the grants come from a portion of sales tax on sporting goods from the Texas Recreation and Parks Account, and Texas Large County and Municipality Recreation and Parks Account, as well as offshore gas royalties.

The Commission also awarded Non-Urban Outdoor Recreation Grants and Small Community Recreation Grants to 21 small towns across the state. The total amount in grants totaled to $8 million.

Click through the slideshow to see the early days of the San Antonio Botanical Garden, which opened in 1980.